Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that some elements of the Taliban movement are seeking to incite Pashtun nationalism within Pakistani territory.
This was described as a move to destabilize the country internally and ignite ethnic tensions.
The ministry said in an official statement that “some Taliban-affiliated groups
are trying to exploit ethnic ties to spread extremist nationalist ideas among the Pashtuns in Pakistan.”
She noted that these moves “do not serve the interests of the Pakistani
and Afghan people, and contradict the principles of good neighborliness.”
The Pashtuns are an integral part of Pakistan
The statement added that the number of Pashtuns in Pakistan exceeds that of Afghanistan,
and that they form an integral part of Pakistani society and state.
Many of them have held important leadership positions in government,
military and administrative institutions over the past decades.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry warned against attempts by some parties
to “politicize ethnic affiliation” or “exploit Pashtun identity” for ideological or political purposes.
She affirmed that Pakistan will counter any attempts aimed
at undermining its national unity or affecting its internal stability.
Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban
These statements come amid escalating tensions
between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban movement.
This comes against the backdrop of escalating armed attacks
against Pakistani forces near the shared border.
Pakistan accuses militant groups operating inside Afghanistan of being behind it.
The Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by affirming
that Pakistan “supports good neighborly relations with Afghanistan.”
But it “will not allow any interference or incitement that threatens
its national security or the unity of its people.”
